Fairhaven residents voice mixed feelings about marijuana

FAIRHAVEN — News that medical marijuana could soon be coming to town received mixed reactions Friday, with some residents indifferent to the substance and others categorizing it as a "gateway drug."

ARIEL WITTENBERG

FAIRHAVEN — News that medical marijuana could soon be coming to town received mixed reactions Friday, with some residents indifferent to the substance and others categorizing it as a "gateway drug."

John Gray said he is worried that allowing any use of marijuana could lead to worse things.

"I don't like to encourage drug use in any way," he said.

He said he was not worried that Fairhaven would be worse-off when a medical marijuana facility moves into town but that he was worried about the effect allowing use of marijuana has on society.

"I don't know that (the facility) will make it worse, but the evidence shows marijuana causes a weakness for drugs," he said. "It's a gateway to other substances."

Sue and Eleanor Taylor, on the other hand, said they are not at all concerned about the drug.

"I'm with Obama," Sue Taylor said, referencing a recent quotation from the president about marijuana. "It's no more dangerous than alcohol."

Eleanor Taylor agreed.

"I think it's fine," she said.

Gene Aillery came down somewhere in the middle. He said allowing a facility in Fairhaven "doesn't really bother me" because he does not want to prevent those with chronic illnesses from finding relief.

"I guess there's people with cancer that it helps," he said.

Still, Aillery said he would reserve judgment until Compassionate Care Clinics opens its facility in town.